5 Ways Driving a Viper is Different From Other Cars

Dodge’s Best Animal

Known for naming their cars after animals like Ram and Super Bee, it’s the Viper that really rules the automotive animal kingdom. Having spent time in some of these cars as well as driving loads of Porsches, BMWs and other sports cars, I was recently asked what my favorite road car is of all time. One word immediately came to mind: Viper. What it is about these V10 driven serpents that sticks with a person after so many years and why do they make such an impression? Here are 5 factors that separate them from anything else on the road.

Image courtesy of cargurus.com

Torque Delivery

The first thing anyone notices about a Dodge Viper is the torque. But it’s not just the peak number, it’s the way it’s delivered. Few cars in the world actually have factory power delivery like the 8.4-liter 10-cylinder engines that Dodge engineers crammed into the long sloping hoods of the Viper. Looking at the torque curve of a VX I Viper TA you can see exactly why they’re so gut-wrenchingly quick. At ~2,800rpm the V10 puts down a staggering 420lb-ft of torque that never drops despite revving to 6,200rpm. If anything, it builds at a steady and progressive rate which means the driver can accurately and predictably control the back end, but you better have skills. Torque peaks at 512lb-ft at 5,000rpm.

Big Balance

Massive torque that delivers brutal acceleration is only a small part of what makes these cars so different to drive. They actually have inherently good balance, despite the notoriety of wanting to spin you out of control. Despite having a power plant that makes the nuclear reactor at Palo Verde look small, the engine in the snake sits predominantly rearward of the front wheels for good balance. Companies struggle to get this natural balance with engines that are even less power and often times more compact.

You have to Wheel Them

You won’t find any driving aids on a Viper other than what is legally required by law. And that doesn’t mean it isn’t tuned by the engineers to feel like you can’t die at any second. Everything is turned up to 11 with nothing to save you—especially on older models. This intimidation factor has carried through all the way to the “modern” ACR that does away with anything that isn’t about lap times. Even then, the approach they took was old school: simply throw bigger slicks under the fenders, a bigger wing on the back and more power under the hood. These cars stayed true to their roots until the very end and it conveys the message to the driver through every raw input of the throttle, steering, and brakes.

A Giant Miata?

Mazda Miata is famous for great handling that is easy to master, which is the opposite of what Vipers are known for. I was scratching my head when I drove an ACR last year. Although my experience was brief and we weren’t on a race track, the car felt incredibly small and agile which felt bizarre to say about something that is so wide and aggressive. The savage reputation disappears the first time you feel how much traction is available in first gear and the confidence only builds from there. Positioning the car is effortless and it really glides over bumps. Having said that, it still scares the living crap out of you due to how fast it is. But once you get used to the speed, it really is a gem to drive in any condition. Even though it’s super fast and intimidating it somehow manages to be easy to drive.

Wolf Down Lap Times

The last thing the Viper does differently from other cars is devouring lap times without breaking a sweat. For the money spent, it’s safe to say there is no other factory production car that can clock times that come close. It is the only car that comes within a stone’s throw of a sub 7 minute lap time at the Nurburgring with a lap time of 7:01.3 and the only one that does it for a price tag that isn’t in excess of $1,000,000. If that doesn’t solidify this car’s place as a legend in the automotive industry, I don’t know what will. Over the years, they have always overperformed in their segment and have left journalists and everyday users breathless. If you ever get the chance to drive one, take full advantage of it. It isn’t something you’ll forget. But be careful, when the snake bites, you the only cure can be a repeat dose of venom.